Patrick signs law that would ban LNG terminal for Fall River
By DAVID KIBBE, New Bedford Standard-Times
BOSTON - Gov. Deval Patrick has signed legislation that in effect bans an LNG terminal from being located in Fall River.
The law, filed by Rep. David B. Sullivan, D-Fall River, does not allow liquefied natural gas storage tanks to be within 5,000 feet of homes, elderly housing, schools, hospitals, health care facilities or businesses. It also bars LNG tankers from coming within 1,500 feet of those same areas.
The law applies to LNG terminals built after Jan. 1, 2007.
Weaver's Cove Energy has insisted in the past that such state laws would not supersede federal reviews of its proposed terminal. But the city could use it as another weapon in its legal fight to block the terminal.
The Coast Guard rejected Weaver's Cove's original proposal to bring LNG to Fall River by tanker, citing safety and navigational concerns.
Weaver's Cove is focusing on an alternate plan involving an offshore berth for LNG tankers in Mount Hope Bay. The tankers would unload via an underwater pipeline that would take it 4 miles to a terminal in Fall River.
The offshore proposal was immediately opposed by the city's lawmakers and congressmen.
"Liquefied natural gas continues to be an important part of the commonwealth's statewide energy plan, but there are also serious potential health and safety risks posed by LNG terminals and tankers," said Rebecca Deusser, a spokeswoman for the governor. "Governor Patrick questions the wisdom of siting new LNG terminals in close proximity to densely populated areas, and he is particularly concerned about the project proposed in Fall River."
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BOSTON - Gov. Deval Patrick has signed legislation that in effect bans an LNG terminal from being located in Fall River.
The law, filed by Rep. David B. Sullivan, D-Fall River, does not allow liquefied natural gas storage tanks to be within 5,000 feet of homes, elderly housing, schools, hospitals, health care facilities or businesses. It also bars LNG tankers from coming within 1,500 feet of those same areas.
The law applies to LNG terminals built after Jan. 1, 2007.
Weaver's Cove Energy has insisted in the past that such state laws would not supersede federal reviews of its proposed terminal. But the city could use it as another weapon in its legal fight to block the terminal.
The Coast Guard rejected Weaver's Cove's original proposal to bring LNG to Fall River by tanker, citing safety and navigational concerns.
Weaver's Cove is focusing on an alternate plan involving an offshore berth for LNG tankers in Mount Hope Bay. The tankers would unload via an underwater pipeline that would take it 4 miles to a terminal in Fall River.
The offshore proposal was immediately opposed by the city's lawmakers and congressmen.
"Liquefied natural gas continues to be an important part of the commonwealth's statewide energy plan, but there are also serious potential health and safety risks posed by LNG terminals and tankers," said Rebecca Deusser, a spokeswoman for the governor. "Governor Patrick questions the wisdom of siting new LNG terminals in close proximity to densely populated areas, and he is particularly concerned about the project proposed in Fall River."
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